CHICAGO has been plunged into Arctic conditions as temperatures nosedived to -50C amid a polar snap which caused the surface of the Chicago River which crosses the Midwest capital to freeze solid.

Shocking ABC aerial footage shot over Chicago has recorded the impact of the brutal weather conditions which have brought the Midwest city to a standstill. Large portions of the Chicago River have frozen over as temperatures in the city hit -28F (-46C) due to a polar vortex engulfing the region causing thermometers to plunge. As temperatures continue to get colder, The Weather Channel has claimed the Illinois city could become colder than Alaska.

Related articles

Meteorologist Chris Dolce said: “'Fairbanks in the typically cold interior of Alaska is forecast to have highs in the mid-teens Wednesday, much above the late January average high of 2 degrees.”

Winds in Chicago are expected to become less brutal throughout Thursday but local officials have maintained a Wind Chill Warning to urge residents to prepare for -45C (-50F) windchills.

The Chicago Fire Department was forced to set commuter rail tracks on fire to ensure trains continue to run smoothly amid the brutal cold. Local company Metra has said it is safe to have trains run over the blazing tracks as the diesel fuelling the service "combust only with pressure and heat, not open flames."

An extra 500 shelter beds were added in Chicago to provide for the homeless population while Mayor Rahm Emanuel urged residents to check on the elderly during the cold snap.